TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Tampa Sen. Arthenia Joyner is one of several Democratic state lawmakers leading the way on a mission to get pay raises for state employees.

They have not had a raise in six years. Sen. Joyner has filed legislation that would give them a two percent raise next year.

Now Joyner is getting some help with that goal.

Tallahassee ministers are teaming up to push for an increase in pay for state employees. Rev. R.B. Holmes says workers are suffering because the cost of living has gone up a lot over the past six years.

Plus, Holmes says state lawmakers voted to make public employees contribute three percent of their salaries toward pension costs.

"Three percent from state employees' checks and no pay raise in the last six years add up to an economic nightmare for state employees. The time has come for this great state of Florida to not consistently denigrate and dismiss the good work of state employees."

Rev. Holmes says the coalition of ministers will try to rally churches across Florida in support of a pay raise for state employees.